A WEST Somerset Conservative councillor has been granted six months leave of absence from Somerset Council due to ill health.

However, controversy was stirred when Independent Cllr Gwil Wren objected to granting a request by Cllr Rosemary Woods, who lives in Watchet.

Cllr Wren, who represents the Wiveliscombe and Milverton areas, said it could leave people in Cllr Woods’ Watchet and Stogursey division without full representation for 16 months up to the next elections in May, 2027

He said the way the request had come about could be taken as ‘a sign of gaming the system to avoid a by-election to the detriment of the electorate’.

Cllr Wren said: “I have no doubt that Cllr Woods is unwell, but I am concerned that it has apparently taken so long to request this leave of absence.

“I am told Cllr Woods has not attended a Somerset Council or parish council meeting since December 16, 2025, and so is almost at the six-month limit for disbarring as a councillor.

“If this is true, it will mean that her electors will have been without her representation for nearly 12 months.

“Furthermore, if she remains unwell, there will not be time for a by-election before the full council elections, so it will mean her division will have been significantly under-represented for 16 months.”

However, council chief executive Duncan Sharkey approved the request for leave, meaning Cllr Woods will not be expected to attend any meetings during that time.

Conservative opposition group leader Cllr Diogo Rodrigues said he would be assisting with divisional casework while Cllr Woods recovered.

Cllr Rodrigues said: “I am disappointed that somebody’s genuine ill-health is being politicised in this way.

“Councillors from all political parties have historically been granted dispensations because of ill health, and Rosemary’s situation is no different.”